Fatty liver disease and its determinants in an American Indian Population: the Strong Heart Study

Chronic liver disease is the fifth leading cause of mortality in American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native populations. There are currently no data available on the development of fatty liver disease (steatosis) and fibrosis, early manifestations of chronic liver disease, in AI. Metabolic disease and alcohol are each associated with fatty liver disease, but their relative impact on its presence and severity are unknown. This study will use state-of-the-art MRI of the liver to assess liver fat and fibrosis among a broad cohort of American Indians with high rates of insulin resistance and variable alcohol use, so as to characterize metabolic and environmental determinants of fatty liver disease.